HARBOUR BOARD.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 971, 13 December 1882, Page 2

HARBOUR BOARD.

The following business was transacted after we went to press on Monday. WU A BEING Ell S BEPOKT. The wharfinger rcpuricd that everything under bis charge was in good order. During last month William Back delivered eight loads of clay will) which Iho depressions in front of the now wharf had been filled. The receipts wore last month—£6o 10s 7d ; outstanding accounts £76 17s 4d ; due on goods in store £4 Is ; total £l4l 8s lid. The report was adopted. LEASING LANDS. The Board then went into committee to 'consider the tenders for leasing sections .as advertised in the Mail. On resinning, the committee reported the acceptance of the "following tenders at per annum; Section 135, J. Mercer £3. Section 8, J. Smith £3O. ACCOUNTS. The following accounts were passed for payment. W. Dale, 3s 6d ; Clayton, £4 14s 6d ; J. Gibson, Is 6d. An account from Mr R. Whittcm £1 15s damage done to fungus was referred to the wharfinger. CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION. With regard to a claim from Messrs Patterson Bros, for compensation, owing to part of tlieir leasehold having been taken by the Railway Department, it was resolved on the motion of Mr Horner “ That Messrs Patterson bo informed that the Board will bold them responsible for the full amount of“agreed rent of section 665, Kakararnea.” THE ENGINEER. The Chairman moved “ That Mr John Thomson bo re-appointed Engineer of the Board’s on the following terms : Two ■guineas per clay while engaged upon (he Board work and travelling expenses.” He considered that.this was the first step necessary towards re-commencing the works. They should have something ready for the new Board at the next election. •Mr Gane seconded the proposition. Mr Adams did not know what the idea was in appointing an engineer. The first thing they had to do “was to provide the ways and means. Plans and specifications had been in the office for the last six months, and what they wanted ’ was the money to cany out the work. He did hot see, with a debit balance of £sll 15s 6d how thej’ were going to raise the money. The proper thing for the Chairman to do would, be to place a scheme before them, showing them bow they could raise money, instead of rushing into engineering expense without any hope of carrying out works. They had done the ’same thing three years ago, and had not been able to raise funds for that. He could not agree with the motion, and would not vote for it. The inotion was put and carried. WHAT WORKS ARE NECESSARY. The Chairman moved —“ That the En-

--gHreor be requested tn advise ths Tm.K-A to wliat works he considers most urgently necessary, and to forward report, and estimate to the Board at the earliest date.” Mr Horner,, in seconding the motion, remarked that there had been an immense amount of talk, and yet they were, as far off as ever. They should have a man who understood the river, and be might be able to suggest how they could do a great deal of good to the river for a small amount of money. Then they might find the ways and means. He wanted to see an estimate for the work. They found that the work clone-had exceeded their expectations, and he thought they should not be lied to the plans they had too strictly. The Engineer might give an independent opinion upon something within reasonable bounds. Mr Adams said that they must find the money first, but if they waited for that they would stagnate til! Doomsday. *lf they came before the public and said they were prepared to do a certain work, he had no doubt it would he accepted, Mr Adams maintained that the first tiling was waj-s and means. They had plenty of plans and plenty of Engineers. They had the opinion of the first Engineer of the Age, but they had not the means of raising sixpence. They had no property to offer, and they were about to commence a scheme about as senseless as making a railway to the moon. There ought to be a scheme for getting the money at some future time. He agreed with the motion, but there was not the slightest chance of carrying out the work. Ho had expected an explanation from those who brought the motion forward. Mr Peacock considered that the money could be raised just.as easy as it had been by the. Borough Council. Ho thought that if the Borough would copie forward a little the country would back them up. The rhou’on was then put and carried. BONDED STORK FOR PATEA. The Chairman moved, “ Thai the Collector of Customs for Wanganui be advised that the Board are willing to receive bonded goods and store the same in their store at the wharf, upon arrangements being made for the Postmaster (or other authorised person) collecting the duties.” In moving the above the Chairman said that our Port had not had that attention that the imports of the place entitled it to ; there was no convenience for bonding goods here. Some ten years ago Mr Dale was lessee of the’wharf, and goods used to be bonded, but now the Board had taken over the wharf, it would be a great benefit if they could have their goods bonded in a building belonging to the Harbour Board. It would entail no extra work, and would increase the revenue of the Board. Mr Adams seconded the motion. The present mode of dealing with bonded goods added greatly to the cost of importation. The Government did not know

the amount of goods which came to rate a, or (hoy would see the necessity of appointing a Customs,officer. At present all goods that came to Patca wore pasted through other ports. Mr Peacock could not see why Patca should not be a port of entry. The Chairman thought Uiu motion was a step in that direction. They had very little to show the Government if called upon. If the importers had been paying their duties here they would have had figures to work upon. lie thought that as soon as the railway goods shed was open, part of that would be used as a bonded store, under the charge of the stationmaster. That might possibly lead to Patca being made a port of entry at an early date. The resolution was unanimously carried. The Chairman moved—“ That upon arrangements being made with the Government for (he storage of bonded goods at the wharf, the storage rate shall be the ordinary storage ra*o.” Seconded by Mr Horner and carried. MR WOODS’ CLAIM. The Secretary mentioned that the claim of Mr Woods, late pilot, was still unsettled. At the reguest of (he Chairman Mr Couttfl, who was present, explained that Mr Woods had erected a building 10 x 18, built a chimney and fenced the .land. The latter he. had had the use of without rent and moreover he learned that the fence was not.upon the line at all.so it would be useless for the Board to pay for it. The other improvements were, he thought, worth about £l2. It was resolved that the Chairman should see Mr Woods and pay him £1.2 in settlement of all claims. With regard to a letter from Mr Thomson re rent of Board’s lease held by himself and two others it was resolved to inform him “That the Board .will expect the full amount of rent on Block 16.” . This was all the business.